Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Manapouri
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December 2025
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Highlighted reviews
We arrived at 7.45 am at the Manapouri Real Journeys Centre to only be told that Experience Oz hadn’t sent the booking through to them and that our booking didn’t exist
We arrived at 7.45 am at the Manapouri Real Journeys Centre to only be told that Experience Oz hadn’t sent the booking through to them and that our booking didn’t exist, despite me having a receipt and booking reference. The staff informed us that the 8 am boat was full, and that there was a slim possibility that we could get a 10.30 cruise and to wait around. We found out at 10.20 we were going. The cruise it’s self was lovely just a very long day. I recommend buying the pre paid lunch or brining a lot of food.
A very pleasant and relaxing journey
A very pleasant and relaxing journey. A very professional organisation and crew. We got to see dolphins and fur seals as well as one of the more magnificent journeys for the day. The bus driver on the way there, John, was outstanding. Wish we got him on the way back. Thanks for a memorable day with many amazing photos that cannot do justice to the magnificence of the location.
What you can expect
Doubtful Sound, one of New Zealand's most remote fiords, offers a rare wilderness few get to experience, made accessible through our unforgettable single-day adventure. Cruise along Doubtful Sound’s 40km stretch of pristine waterways surrounded by untouched nature, towering peaks and powerful waterfalls. In New Zealand’s deepest fiord, you’re exploring the home of abundant native wildlife, like bottlenose dolphins, NZ fur seals, and Fiordland crested penguins. Experience one of the most expansive and awe-inspiring fiords in this epic wilderness.
You will start with a scenic cruise across Lake Manapouri, then journey over the epic Wilmot Pass through lush Fiordland rainforest and enjoy the fascinating commentary delivered by our coach drivers around the history and filming locations featured in the area. After, you'll board a spacious vessel to kick off a 2.5-hour cruise through some of the area's astounding scenery as your accompanying experienced nature guide provides commentary and answers any questions you might have. During the cruise be sure to keep your eyes open for the many varieties of wonderful wildlife that inhabit the region including fur seals which can be seen basking in the sun or bottlenose dolphins which inhabit Doubtful Sound's waters.
Location
What you need to know
- All food and beverage purchases aboard the vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, do not accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both guests and staff
- Payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- RealNZ is going cashless on all food and beverage purchases in experience.
- This means that all food and beverage purchases aboard our vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, will no longer accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both our guests and staff.
- Our payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Note: Fee of 1.5% applies to food and beverage purchases by credit card only. The fee does not apply to purchases in Retail Store at Walter Peak, or merchandise purchased from our Visitor Centres.
- Full day Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
- Luxury launch cruise across Lake Manapouri and coach trip over Wilmot Pass
- 2.5 hour full length cruise on a modern, spacious catamaran with excellent viewing
- Wildlife viewing opportunities including fur seals, dolphins and the rare Fiordland crested penguin
- Expert commentary
- Interpretation hand-out sheets in 5 languages: English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese
- Dedicated nature guide with specialist knowledge of flora and fauna
- Tea, coffee and cabinet snacks available for purchase on the cruise
- Cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm before boarding a coach and crossing the alpine route of Wilmot Pass through some of Fiordland’s most dense rainforest. On reaching Deep Cove, board a beautiful vessel for a three hour cruise exploring the waterways of this serene and isolated fiord
- There is plenty of time available to explore points of interest and view the spectacular alpine scenery including waterfalls, rainforest and mountains all the way out to the Tasman Sea
- It is home to bottlenose dolphins and fur seals and when in season, the rare Fiordland crested penguin. An on-board nature guide with specialist knowledge of the region’s history, flora and fauna provides detailed interpretation in English with a roving microphone
- Snacks are available for purchase on board only i.e. chips, chocolate, biscuits etc
- Cruise across the crystal clear Lake Manapouri to West Arm
- Coach trip through Fiordland's rainforest and over Wilmot Pass
- 3 hour cruise on Doubtful Sound, a pristine, beautiful fiord
- View rugged peaks, verdant rainforest and hidden inlets
- Spot dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguins
- Dedicated nature guide
- Expert commentary
- Doubtful Sound is 3 times longer than Milford Sound
- The 'Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise' is changing departure time, which means your guests will experience Fiordland in peak sunlight hours, offering perfect lighting for unforgettable photo opportunities.
- Ex Manapouri: 10am - 5pm
- Ex Te Anau: 9.45am - 6pm
- Ex Queenstown: 7.40am - 8pm
- Total tour time is approximately 8hrs
- Hotel pick ups are not offered for this tour. Please meet at the Real NZ Visitor Centre, 64 Waiau St, Pearl Harbour, Manapouri
- Parking is available on Waiau Street
- Non-slip shoes/boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm sweater/fleece jacket
- Sunscreen/sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Camera
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking, however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
- Prices are seasonal and are constantly changing. The from price displayed may not always be the price you are going to pay, as once you click on your specified date, the price will change to reflect the price for that date/season. Please note that in some cases where you cannot click on a date to obtain the price, please call us so we can assist you
- Cruise vessel subject to change without notice
- Mobile Vouchers are accepted! - Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device
Recent reviews
We arrived at 7.45 am at the Manapouri Real Journeys Centre to only be told that Experience Oz hadn’t sent the booking through to them and that our booking didn’t exist
We arrived at 7.45 am at the Manapouri Real Journeys Centre to only be told that Experience Oz hadn’t sent the booking through to them and that our booking didn’t exist, despite me having a receipt and booking reference. The staff informed us that the 8 am boat was full, and that there was a slim possibility that we could get a 10.30 cruise and to wait around. We found out at 10.20 we were going. The cruise it’s self was lovely just a very long day. I recommend buying the pre paid lunch or brining a lot of food.
A very pleasant and relaxing journey
A very pleasant and relaxing journey. A very professional organisation and crew. We got to see dolphins and fur seals as well as one of the more magnificent journeys for the day. The bus driver on the way there, John, was outstanding. Wish we got him on the way back. Thanks for a memorable day with many amazing photos that cannot do justice to the magnificence of the location.
So glad we booked this cruise through The Doubtful Sound
So glad we booked this cruise through The Doubtful Sound! Headed off around 10 am on a very comfortable boat which took us across Lake Manapouri. The nature guides were all very knowledgeable and gave us a running commentary throughout the tour. Our trip in the bus across Wilmot Pass was very enjoyable and our thanks to nature guide and bus driver John Lockie for his interesting and humorous commentary. The trip through the sound was amazing, the boat is open and spacious and has plenty of viewing space inside and out. Would have liked to see the dolphins but we did get to see some seals. We were looked after on board by all of the staff who have great knowledge of the area. They turned off the boat for a short while so that we could experience the tranquillity of the sound. It was a great day and the magnificent scenery made me feel so small in comparison. Thanks for a wonderful tour.
Need help?
- Email us at enquiry@experienceoz.com.au
- Help code: D2B-1333
- This experience is supplied by Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruises
